Deere spent $374,000 on lobbying Congress in 3Q

Deere & Co. spent $374,000 to lobby Congress and federal regulators during the third quarter to protect the signal for GPS systems and express concerns about farming regulations. The Moline, Ill., company is the world's largest maker of agricultural equipment. The amount Deere spent on lobbying is more than the $350,000 it spent in last year's third quarter and more than the $340,000 it spent in this year's second quarter. Deere said in a report filed Oct. 20 that it lobbied Congress and the Federal Communications Commission about the use of spectrum rights for communication because it is worried that LightSquared's proposed new nationwide Internet network could threaten the GPS signals many Deere tractors use. Deere also said it lobbied on financial reforms, crop insurance and efficient water use standards.